Gado Gado’s Popular COVID-Era Takeout Pop-Up, Oma’s Takeaway, Is Getting Its Own Restaurant Space

When coronavirus closed the dining rooms of restaurants across the Portland area, Gado Gado, the popular Indonesian restaurant known for its elaborate rice-table dinners and intricate noodle soups, came up with something different: “Oma’s Takeaway,” a takeout pop-up that combined the recipes of chef Thomas Pisha-Duffly’s grandmother and “Asian stoner food,” became the hot “pivot” in the Hollywood District, with platters of smoked meats, Flamin’ Hot chicharrones, and durian layer cakes.

Soon, however, Oma’s Takeaway will have its own home. Gado Gado owners Mariah and Thomas Pisha-Duffly will open a second restaurant in August, a honed-in version of the pandemic-era pop-up.

According to Portland Monthly, it will open in the former Whiskey Soda Lounge space on SE Division Street (its first iteration was run out of Gado Gado’s kitchen, while the restaurant’s dining room was closed). The restaurant’s menu will mix and match different influences from Southeast Asian cuisines, and from Chinese and American styles of barbecue. The “stoner food” platters from the spring pop-up will make a comeback with twisted sides like cheesy five-spice tots and strawberry slaw.

Also on offer will be Singaporean-Chinese style house-smoked meats (think roasted duck and char siu). Other dishes may include beef rendang, a jackfruit curry, and an array of veggie sides from papaya salad to corn fritters.

As the name suggests, takeout will be a focus for Oma’s, although it will have a patio for on-site dining (indoor seating, open for four dinner services a week.

• Oma’s Takeaway by Gado Gado Opens in August [PDX Monthly]
• Gado Gado Will Start Serving ‘Stoner Food’ Takeout Thursday Night [EPDX]